Mickey's Fun Wheel

Mickey's Fun Wheel
Mickey's Fun Wheel at night with World of Color in the foreground.
Disney California Adventure
Land	Paradise Pier
Designer	Walt Disney Imagineering, Intamin AG
Attraction type	Ferris wheel
Theme	Boardwalk; Victorian; Disney
Opening date	February 8, 2001 (as The Sun Wheel) May 4, 2009 (as Mickey's Fun Wheel)
Closing date	October 14, 2008 (as The Sun Wheel)
Vehicle type	Gondola
Vehicle capacity	6
Ride duration	9 minutes
Total height	160 ft (48.8 m)
Formerly known as	Sun Wheel
Must transfer from wheelchair

Mickey's Fun Wheel is a 160-foot (48.8 m) tall^[1] Ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The ride was inspired by Coney Island's 1927 Wonder Wheel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.^[2] Both attractions feature swinging and stationary gondolas while Mickey's Fun Wheel has a large Mickey Mouse face in the center. The attraction was formerly known as the Sun Wheel (February 8, 2001 - October 14, 2008).^[1] Mickey's Fun Wheel was expected to open April 24, 2009, but due to delays the attraction opened May 4, 2009.^[3] This renovation is a part of the new Paradise Pier placemaking including the Silly Symphony Swings, World of Color, Goofy's Sky School, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Games of the Boardwalk retheming, the removal of Maliboomer, and enhancements on California Screamin'.

Description

Mickey's Fun Wheel differs from conventional Ferris wheels in that 16 of its 24 gondolas ride on interior rails so that they slide inward and outward as the wheel rotates.^[1][4] This results in a more intense experience,^[1] and motion sickness bags are provided in each gondola due to the disorienting nature of the ride. The other eight gondolas are fixed to the rim of the wheel and do not slide on rails. Guests may choose to ride in sliding or fixed gondolas, each of which can carry six people.^[4][1]

Former attraction and renovation

The former Sun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure Park

Disney's California Adventure is currently undergoing a $1.1 billion (US) renovation.^[5] One of the subprojects was to retheme the former Sun Wheel as the new Mickey's Fun Wheel. The ride experience has not been significantly changed, but the sun face has been replaced by a giant Mickey Mouse head, the color scheme was changed from mainly yellow to mainly red, and each gondola now has a picture of Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, or Goofy to be consistent with the introduction of classic Disney characters into Paradise Pier, the area where the attraction is located. In addition, new LED lighting effects now illuminate the attraction, and some Victorian theming echoes the elaborate architecture of the nearby Toy Story Midway Mania! attraction.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "General information" (in English). originald.com. http://www.originald.com/info/attractions/california-adventure/paradise-pier/mickeys-fun-wheel. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
2. ^ "Disney's California Adventure - Anaheim, California" (in English). city-data.com. http://www.city-data.com/articles/Disneys-California-Adventure-Anaheim.html. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
3. ^ "Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure Re-Opens" (in English). dailyearful.com. http://www.dailyearful.com/2009/05/mickeys-fun-wheel-swan-and-dolphin.html. Retrieved 2010-05-15. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ ^{a b} "Mickey's Fun Wheel Paradise Pier" (in English). allears.net. http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/sun.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 
5. ^ "Paradise Pier Overhaul" (in English). themeparkvillage.com. 2009-01-23. http://themeparkvillage.com/index.php/Home/Page-6.html. Retrieved 2010-05-15. 

External links

• Official Disneyland Resort Link

Coordinates: 33°48′18.39″N 117°55′19.87″W / 33.8051083°N 117.9221861°W / 33.8051083; -117.9221861